Wheatfield Town Board working on budget

by jmaloni

Thu, Oct 3rd 2013 06:50 pm

by Susan Mikula Campbell

Wheatfield's tentative
$12.48 million budget for 2014 was presented to the Town Board on Monday, Sept.
30.

The budget will be
reviewed and adjusted by board members and a public hearing is planned on the
resulting preliminary budget for 7 p.m. Nov. 6. Adoption of a final budget is
expected at either the Nov. 6 or Nov. 18 regular Town Board meeting.

The tentative budget
includes a $156,189 decrease in the tax levy.

"I'm very proud to
present my fourth budget, as for the fourth year in a row, we will see a
decrease in the overall tax rates, including the elimination of the remaining
highway tax, a total reduction of over 4 percent," said Town Supervisor Bob
Cliffe.

Cliffe said highlights
in this year's budget include:

•The addition of $ 6,000
for professional nuisance animal control.

•The addition of $25,000
for mosquito control as the town's part in working with Niagara County to
initiate a true mosquito control program.

•The continuation of
both the popular "summer camp" and the park activities programs, terrific
programs for our youth, at no cost to taxpayers.

•Major improvements in
Fairmount and Mario parks, as well as the start of the Greenway Trail and the
park along River Road.

•The addition of a new
laborer position for the Sewer Department.

The budget includes an
estimated 15 percent increase for health insurance for non-union employees, but
Cliffe said he expects to have the actual, perhaps lesser, charges before the
budget is finalized.

"This budget will allow
us to further improve our youth programs and park facilities, while maintaining
all the important services for all residents, yet cutting the cost for
taxpayers - 2014 will be another great year for Wheatfield," Cliffe said.